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Help, and jobs, available for Roundy's workers

Nathan Vine
6:47 p.m. CDT July 4, 2014

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Trucks leave the Copps distribution center at 2828 Wayne St. in Stevens Point on Wednesday. Roundy’s announced on Tuesday that the distribution center would close in September, leaving 196 employees out of work.
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STEVENS POINT – Local officials pledged to do what they can to help the nearly 200 workers who will lose their jobs this fall after Roundy's closes its Copps distribution center in Stevens Point.

Milwaukee-based Roundy's, which owns several grocery store chains including Copps and Pick 'n Save in central Wisconsin, announced in an online news release Tuesday that it plans to shut down the center at 2828 Wayne St. by Sept. 30, because the plant serves stores in the Twin Cities that Roundy's is selling. The state Department of Workforce Development also received notice from Roundy's on Tuesday that the 196 employees working at the center would be released by Sept. 13.

State Sen. Julie Lassa, D-Stevens Point, a member of the Governor's Council on Workforce Development, said in a statement that the workers will qualify for assistance from the state's Dislocated Worker Rapid Response program.

Through the program, the state Workforce Development Department will work with the plant and its employees to survey workers' needs, tell them about available services and provide assistance with career planning and job search needs. Some affected employees might also be eligible for state-sponsored retraining.

Jane Spencer, workforce services director at the North Central Wisconsin Workforce Development Board, said the state plans to set a date to meet with employees at the distribution center. Staff members for the workforce board will attend and help employees to determine their skills and goals.

"It can be tough initially after something like this happens, but we want to provide them the opportunity to start looking at their options as soon as we can," Spencer said.

Portage County Executive Patty Dreier and Portage County Business Council Executive Director Lori Dehlinger expressed sympathy for the workers affected by the closure announcement. Drier said there are many opportunities for employment, training and education available for the workers.

Dehlinger noted that several companies in the region are looking for employees. The 2014 Portage County Job Fair, to be held July 9 at the Noel Airport Hangar in Stevens Point, will provide a chance for some of those workers to begin their job search.

For truck drivers working in the distribution center, there appears to be a strong market for their services. Gary Rajek, special projects manager and director of transportation for Merrill Iron & Steel, said there's not enough drivers out there to hire.

The Schofield-based metal fabricator has 20 drivers for as many trucks, and on a given week hires 12 to 16 outside drivers to keep up with demand, Rajek said. He'd like to hire about 10 additional drivers to work for the company, he said.

The company typically looks for experienced drivers, but will train them given the lack of available employees. Drivers start at 37 cents a mile and travel all over the United States, and can quickly move up in pay.

"We usually don't like having drivers out on the road any longer than a week, but some are out two weeks now because we need them to be," Rajek said. "We're definitely looking for the help."

Nathan Vine can be reached at 715-345-2252. Find him on Twitter as @SPJNathanVine.